Two-vehicle crash claims the life of a Missouri man in Crawford County

GIRARD, Kan. –  A Mindenmines man is dead following a two-vehicle collision just 2 miles North of K126 in Crawford County.

On Saturday, September 24th, The Kansas Highway Patrol responded to a crash a the intersection of South 200th Street and East 570th Avenue just after 1:00 P.M.

Police say a Ford F350 driven by Edward Leroy Nutt, 71, was traveling Eastbound on East 570th Avenue when he failed to stop at a stop sign.

Nutt then collided with a Northbound 2017 Chrysler driven by Rigby Born, 19, of Girard, Kansas.

Officers pronounced Nutt dead on the scene. The Police report indicates he was not wearing a safety restraint.

The report indicates that Born suffered serious injuries and was transferred to a local hospital.

Rear end crash claims life of man in Neosho

NEOSHO, Mo. – Just after 2:30 P.M. on Tuesday, September 20th, the Neosho Police Dispatch received calls regarding a crash near Highway 86 and Baxter Street.

When Neosho Police Officers arrived on the scene, they learned that a 2022 Buick Encore traveling eastbound on Highway 86 struck the rear of a 2021 Hyundai Elantra which was stopped in the left-hand turn lane.

MO-86/Gateway Drive and Baxter is inside the city limits of Neosho (Google Maps)

Officers later identified the Buick driver as 74-year-old Charles Hixson of Neosho. The Newton County Coroner’s Office later pronounced Hixson deceased on the scene.

Police say the driver of the Hyundai, Shirayne Rabualiman 21-year-old of Neosho, was treated and released on scene by the Newton County Ambulance.

NEOSHO FATAL CRASH MO-86 AND BAXTER

 

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Missouri Historical Society preps for Route 66’s Centennial

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Though it’s a few years out, the State Historical Society of Missouri is prepping for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

To prepare for the iconic “Mother Road’s” Centennial, officials began collecting the following items for a grand display:

  • photographs
  • postcards
  • film and home videos along the route
  • records of roadside businesses
  • oral histories of people who traveled or worked along the road
  • small souvenirs or artifacts
  • artwork
  • architectural drawings of iconic structures and places

“We’re very interested in stories and materials ranging from the road’s origins to its peak period in Missouri (circa 1926-1960) to its decline following the rise of the Interstation Highway system,” said Kathleen Seale, coordinator of the State Historical Society’s Rolla and Springfield Research Centers.

According to the media release, Missouri is where Route 66’s name became official, as the highway received its number assignment via a telegram sent on April 30, 1926, to Springfield.

Route 66 played a significant role in the nation’s transportation history as the main artery connecting Chicago to Los Angeles by the late 1920s. In Missouri, the highway followed earlier trails, dirt tracks and gravel roads from the Mississippi River at St. Louis to the Kansas border west of Joplin.

Motels, restaurants, gas stations, and roadside attractions thrived on the steady commerce from travelers along Route 66, and now the SHSMO wants to hear about these experiences from you!

Click here to view the donation form.

New federal law offering a big tax credit on electric vehicles

Demand for electric vehicles is skyrocketing, especially after a new federal law offering a tax credit up to $7,500. But, if you don’t do your research, you could miss out on that tax break because not all cars qualify.

“Those qualifications depend on the car, they depend on the buyer’s income, they depend on where the car’s made, and where even some of the parts of the car are made,” says Keith Barry from Consumer Reports.

The federal government has yet to make clear which vehicles will actually earn a tax credit. The U.S. Department of Energy has put out a list of vehicles that ‘may’ qualify. There are many American 2022 models including the Chevy Bolt, Jeep Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid, Ford Mustang Mach E, Chrysler Pacifica and Tesla’s four models. Foreign brands include the Audi Q5, BMW X5, Nissan Leaf and Volvo S60. But, experts say the tax rules could change before the credit takes effect next year, and the list could change, so car shoppers should not assume a tax credit.

“I’d postpone my buying decisions until I found out whether it actually did qualify or not,” Barry says.

Many states also offer tax credits and other incentives for eco-friendly vehicles. Experts say people in the market for an electric car should base their decision on the overall quality and price of the vehicle and the tax break shouldn’t be the only factor.

Individuals can learn more about it here.

Businesses can learn more from the IRS site here.

Correspondent: Michael George

Motorcycle Cross Country Chase stops by Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. – The 2022 Cross Country Chase presented by the Motorcycle Cannonball today stopped by Joplin Missouri for a bite to eat.

The City hosted around 100 motorcyclists sporting bikes from the ’30s-’60s.

The group is traveling together on a 10-day-journey on Route 66 and officials say the event grows each year with the number of riders taking the trip.

Cross Country Chase invited the public to come out and take a look at some of the historic bikes on display.

Officials say their trek began in Springfield, Illinois, and the group plans to travel 2,330 miles to Santa Monica.

Click here to learn more.

Miami to spend nearly $1 Million to improve city roads

MIAMI, Okla. – The City of Miami announced its budget of $3.2 million for street projects for fiscal year 2022-2023.

With over 100 miles of streets, Miami has upped its budget from last year which was $583,758.

Officials say $822,117 is budgeted for the Street Department’s general operations and $2,035,889 is ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.

This fiscal year, the council approved additional funds using $371,295 from the .65% sales tax Street & Stadium Fund.

“Streets have been one of the biggest challenges facing the City of Miami for many years,” Miami City Manager Bo Reese said. “We are working within the budget we have to complete as much street work as possible and continue to seek funding sources.”

The City says it costs an estimated $1 million per mile to replace a city street. With a limited budget to fix all issues, the City of Miami has created a prioritized list of streets to fit the budget for streets that are designated for either reconstruction or mill and overlay.

“To citizens, it feels like we are starting and stopping projects before completion. What I would like everyone to understand is this is the most cost-effective way to run the projects. Stretching the citizen’s tax dollars is always a top priority. When the warmer weather finally arrives, it feels like a sprint to get as much done as possible during the warmer months.”

Joplin Police offer navigation tips for 32nd street construction traffic

JOPLIN, Mo. –The Joplin Police Department today released the following tips for property owners, neighborhoods, and drivers traveling near the Range Line bridge closure to ensure safety for all parties.

Do not use a parking lot to navigate around a detour

There are businesses that have been affected by traffic constantly cutting through their parking lots and causing a disruption. This creates unnecessary wear on their parking lots and is in violation of city ordinance.

Do not make U-turns after a lane restriction

Eastbound traffic on 32nd is restricted to no left turn onto Davis. JPD has dealt with several cars making a U-turn after this intersection and going back to use Davis Blvd. This creates a safety issue and can cause traffic to get congested and need to slow suddenly which leads to rear-end-collisions.

Do not drive between cones

Cones have been knocked over several times from people trying to drive between them. If cones are in place, they are a traffic control device. They are in place for your safety and the safety of workers. This is being strictly enforced.

Trucks must take truck routes and avoid car detours

Commercial vehicles such as dump trucks and semi’s will need to detour on a truck route when not making local delivery.

Avoid taking the back way

Everyone knows a shortcut. Please keep in mind that some of these roads are someone’s neighborhood. Traffic has seen a major increase in some of these areas, specifically 24th Street between Texas and Connecticut and 26th Street between Arizona and Connecticut. Speed has been a significant complaint and is being strictly enforced in these areas. These are both high pedestrian areas used by residents out exercising.

Be careful on crowded roads

JPD has received numerous careless driving complaints on roads with much more traffic than normal. Please slow down, put some extra room between you and the car in front of you and expect more stops along the way. Maybe leave an extra minute early.

Joplin closes F Street for sewer repairs

JOPLIN, Mo. – The City of Joplin today closed F Streed between Joplin and Wall for sewer repairs.

The City says they expect work crews to complete the project by the end of the week.

While work ensues, the City says detours are in place.

Click here to learn more.

 

Fort Scott VFW hosts Auto & Motorcycle Show

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1165 today hosted its Auto & Motorcycle Show.

Officials say the event is open to the public and a goodwill donation is encouraged for registers.

The event featured many different styles of motorcycles, cars and trucks of different eras.

Click here to learn more.

Fort Scott closes 6th Street for Cape Seal repairs

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – The Fort Scott Police Department reminds residents to obey traffic signs while road crews work on 6th Street repairs.

Police say the closure of 6th Street between Horton and Holbrook is a part of the City’s Cape Seal Project to repair roadways.

6th street is one of many roads receiving the new chip sealing.

The City is referring to “Cape Seal” as to the process of traditional chip seal with a fog coat finish over the chip seal application.